Mesna (oral/injection)
Generic name: mesna (oral/injection) [ MEZ-nah ]
Brand name: Mesnex
Dosage forms: injectable solution (100 mg/mL); oral tablet (400 mg)
Drug class:Antineoplastic detoxifying agents
What is mesna?
Mesna is used to prevent bleeding in the bladder (hemorrhagic cystitis) during chemotherapy with ifosfamide (Ifex).
Mesna will not prevent other side effects caused by ifosfamide.
Mesna may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Warnings
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of a serious reaction: fever, nausea, vomiting, racing heartbeats, hives, rash or redness, skin pain or swelling, blisters or peeling, joint or muscle pain, feeling light-headed, trouble breathing, mouth sores, or swelling in your face or throat.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use mesna if you are allergic to mesna, edetate sodium, sodium hydroxide, or benzyl alcohol.
Tell your doctor if you are allergic to any medicine.
Although mesna is not expected to harm an unborn baby, ifosfamide can harm an unborn baby if the mother or the father is using this medicine.
If you are a woman, you may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment with ifosfamide. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using ifosfamide and for at least 6 months after your last dose.
If you are a man, use effective birth control if your sex partner is able to get pregnant. Keep using birth control for at least 3 months after your last dose of ifosfamide.
Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is using ifosfamide.
Do not breast-feed while using mesna or ifosfamide, and for at least 1 week after your last dose.
Mesna injection contains an ingredient that can cause serious side effects or death in premature or low-birthweight babies. Mesna tablets do not contain this ingredient. Mesna injection should not be given to a premature or low birth weight infant.
How is mesna given?
Before and during treatment with mesna, you may need frequent urine tests.
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Mesna injection is given as an infusion into a vein. A he...
